Report: Mullan not making Seattle trip

Seattle Sounders fans won't get the chance to serenade Brian Mullan after all.

According to The Denver Post, Mullan did not accompany the rest of the Colorado Rapids to Seattle for Saturday afternoon's match, which will be the first meeting between the two clubs since Mullan's tackle broke the leg of Seattle winger Steve Zakuani earlier this season.

"It's a purely personal feeling from my standpoint," Colorado coach Gary Smith told The Post. "Brian says he has no serious physical problems, but his back has been an issue for a little while. I took that into consideration with three games in a week, and given what we're probably going to encounter in Seattle, I think all in all it's probably the right choice to keep him (out) until Wednesday and keep him nice and fresh."

Mullan, who has been dealing with back spasms but has reportedly proclaimed himself fit, should return to the lineup for Colorado's home games against New York and New England next week.

Do you think it's the right move to leave Mullan in Colorado for the match?

Yep, he went 262 games before breaking someone’s leg, and he was unsuccessful in breaking any legs in his sub appearance against Vancouver, so by my calculations…he should be due to break another one the next time he plays.

It could just as likely be that Mullan genuinely has a mild injury and Colorado doesn’t need him so they’re leaving him to stay fresh. Or most likely it could be that the team doesn’t want to deal with the distraction that having Mullan there would provide. I don’t think the coach is concerned about how a 33 year old veteran will handle being booed.

His injury is legit. Maybe he’s good enough to travel, but if it’s unlikely he’d play, why bother exposing your player to the harassment he’ll get. From a Rapids’ perspective, it makes sense and I don’t think it’s cowardly in any way. That said, I’m bummed I won’t have the chance to boo him.

On another note, Ives you really think Toronto would be interested in Cooper? I really doubt that with Johnson, Koovermans, Plata, & Maicon at there disposal up front. I would think LA or Seattle would be right up there. They need a ST and have the ability to make a trade.

Mike, Seattle has not had “ultras” since 1974. For nine years Seattle had a very good fan base, one of the best in the country, yet not really a “supporters group” or “hinchada” or whatever you want to call it. Not really much of that in the NASL days. The teams that existed from 1985-2008, the one’s called Sounders and the one’s called other things were moderately if not poorly supported. Now, Seattle is supported better than any team in the country. Let’s just not overstate the history. I know because I was there by the way. I don’t mean to be a prick, it just kind of bugs me when people who may or may not have supported this town’s various teams ever before, and certainly not when they were small time playing on astroturf, rant about 35 years of history. You may have been there all along for all I know. And the pride in the club and history is awesome. But there are those of us who know the real history, not the fabricated “35 years” business that is just marketing and unfortunately some people believe it. That’s me on my soap box.

As for Mullan, I wouldn’t bring him either. He’s not critical, may not have played anyway, and you just don’t need to put the rest of your club through distractions. It’s not cowardly or b.s., it’s just a smart move by a coach, and not really that big of a deal.

Also for Mullan, I wish no ill will on him. He lost his head for a second. It happens all the time. Hopefully it results in stricter officiating which could only be good for our league.